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NATCHEZ — When asked in The Democrat’s online poll what stores or businesses they want to see locate in the Trace Town Shopping Center redevelopment in Natchez, Miss-Lou residents seem to be divided between a TJ Maxx store and a movie theater.

However, the brisk response to the poll reflects the excitement of the community in the recent news of the development of the shopping center.

Hobby Lobby will be its anchor store. That company has already broken ground at Trace Town.

The poll question garnered more than 1,000 votes in 12 hours on The Democrat’s website. In that same 12 hours, 628 people commented on Facebook.

As of 11:30 a.m. on Thursday with a total of 1,067 votes cast, 37 percent of respondents want to see a TJ Maxx store located in Trace Town. However, 36 percent want a movie theater. Aldi, a grocery store, is the choice for 11 percent of poll respondents with 5 and Below coming in fourth at 7 present and an Ulta or Sephora cosmetics store coming in fifth with 5 percent of the votes.

Among Facebook commenters, TJ Maxx and a movie theater also seem to be neck-and-neck with Aldi coming in at a distant third place.

Facebook commenter Donna Tate Sindle wants an “Aldi, movie theater, Chinese buffet, Ulta (not Sephora), TJ Maxx, Bath & Body Works and Five Below. Would love an affordable ice cream or yogurt shop and a breakfast/brunch place like First Watch or Another Broken Egg,” she wrote.

A number of commenters expressed their desire for a Chinese buffet in Natchez.

Facebook commenter David Cain wants a Raising Cane’s in Natchez. Commenter Terrica Bates responded, “I just said this yesterday. I would drive to Natchez everyday just to get Cane’s and I know the line would be long.”

Facebook commenter Katharine Parrish disagreed.

“Though I haven’t had Raising Cane’s, I’ll fight you because NO MORE FRIED CHICKEN!!! We have enough already! Please for all of our sakes can we get some other hopefully healthier options that taste good!!! Like Firehouse Subs or a GOOD Asian carry out type place?” Parrish wrote.

Trace Town Developer Jimmy Smith said he was happy to see the enthusiasm for the coming retail stores.

“All of the space in Trace Town is now spoken for. We don’t have any more space there,” Smith said. However, because of contractual agreements, he is not at liberty to disclose what stores are planning to locate in the development.

“I will tell you we are not getting a movie theater,” he said.

Smith said he hopes the Horne Development Group’s plan to build a shopping center adjacent to Walmart is successful.

“Maybe some of these businesses people want to see here can locate there,” he said.